But the many sporting figures and friends who gathered to pay warm tributes to Sandra Logan at a mayoral reception last Wednesday night would not have missed the occasion for the world.

For once, Sandra - a tireless behind-the-scenes supporter of our very best sportspeople - was the centre of attention - and if anyone deserved the limelight, for just a short time, it is she.

Her gentle and caring nature has endeared her to many in the Coleraine area for three decades and we all owe her a debt of gratitude.

Coleraine mayor, councillor Maurice Bradley kindly hosted the reception at the Bann View Gallery last Wednesday evening.

And a measure of the high esteem in which the mayor personally holds Sandra was underlined by the fact that Maurice was missing Chelsea's Champions League semi-final clash with Liverpool!

Welcoming all the guests, councillor Bradley said that Sandra had held virtually every post in her 30 years with Coleraine Sports Council, which she had served with distinction.

"Tonight is all about Sandra and I would like to congratulate her for carrying out her duties without fuss and with great efficiency," said councillor Bradley.

On behalf of Council, the mayor made a special presentation to Sandra for the "sincere recognition of the service you have given to all the sports clubs throughout the borough."

It was a fitting introduction to the evening and Sandra received the warm applause of everyone gathered, including from her husband James, friends and members of her family circle.

Sports Council chairman Terry Boylan said it was a pleasure to be asked to pay tribute to Sandra.

Quoting the Robert Louis Stevenson phrase "To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive' Terry said that Sandra had enjoyed every moment of her long service to sport in the borough.

And he said she should be proud of what she had achieved during those years of sterling service.

At this point Terry unveiled a portrait of Sandra in her Sports Council blazer, something which she had always wanted as a memento of a wonderful period in her life.

Sports Council PRO Kathleen McBride said it had been a great pleasure to work alongside Sandra and she hoped that the many clubs in the borough realised the tremendous efforts she had put in for them.

Presenting Sandra with honorary life membership of the Sports Council, Kathleen added: "I hope you feel free to come along to any meeting now that you have got this.